1920s battery radios....how do they work?

[Kamakiri]

Here's a question on crystal sets, as a topic shift. Does the type of diode make a difference re: reception? I stuck a 1N4001 in this crystal homebrew I have (it's the only thing I had on hand at the time), and it works....but seemingly only from about 1100 KC up.

[Zenith26kc20]

I think the 1N4001 diode has a lower frequency capability than the 1N34 diodes used in most crystal sets. If I remember right, hot cathode detector diodes work fine also.

[catman]

G'day all, just on diodes for crystal sets, in theory anyway, germanium diodes are best in terms of sensitivity and the lowest forward voltage drop but the whole subject is actually quite complex and involved.

In this country anyway (Australia), true germanium diodes are rapidly being replaced by 'germanium diode equivalent' schottky diodes like the BAT46 which are actually excellent and are measurably better than germanium types in several respects, like very little reverse leakage etc and are also very sensitive. Regards, Felix aka catman.

[davet753]

You really need a germanium diode for a detector, silicon just won't cut it.

[decojoe67]

I only delved into 1922-26 battery and crystal sets a few years ago and find them very interesting to tinker with. I use an AM transmitter with mine, so that helps a lot. I find the '22-'24 1,2, and 3 tube sets a challenge to get playing just right. Almost every time I go to play them they need readjustments. The biggest problem is low or garbled audio, but after tweaking about every control I'm able to improve it. My two post-1925 5-tube "three-dialer" casket sets play flawlessly with their cone speakers with hardly any readjustments necessary. With the transmitter the crystal sets play perfectly with their galena crystals. The sound is truly "crystal clear"!